Board News & Education - April 2026
Dear Board Member,
March was another busy month of hosting Board Certifications and CEUs. We truly value all the positive feedback and recommendations from appreciative board members. Our May theme will be Hurricane Readiness and I am in the process of arranging for an insurance company online presentation. I am also working on content for the Homeowner’s Association board member annual fourhour CEU course and hope to have it approved by the DBPR for May.
This month’s newsletter is based on feedback from board members I know are thoughtful, committed, and genuinely doing the right things for their communities, but still find themselves facing frustration from owners or a perception that their decisions are inconsistent or unfair.
I explored this core dynamic and what steps may be taken to understand and change that experience. The result is this month’s article, Consistency is Credibility: Why Boards Lose Trust (Even When They’re Right), which hopefully provides a few practical observations on how consistency, structure, and communication shape how boards are experienced by their communities.
— Be well. Doug Jenkins, Director of Learning & Development
March & April Online Board Education Events
Registration is required for all courses.
2025 Legislative Update - Condo Board Member One Hour CEU
An overview of 2025 Florida House Bill 913 (HB 913). This discussion qualifies as a Condominium Board Member One Hour CEU.
- April 20, 2026, 4:00-5:00 PM
- Registration Link for the April 20, 2026, Condo CEU
New Condominium Board Member Four Hour Certification
DBPR Required Four Hour Certification Course for new Condominium Association Board Members Subject to Florida Statute 718.
- April 22, 2026, 1:00-5:00 PM
- Registration Link for the April 22, 2026, Condominium Course
New Homeowners' Board Member Four Hour Certification
DBPR Required Four Hour Certification Course for new Homeowners' Association Board Members Subject to Florida Statute 720.
- April 29, 2026, 1:00-5:00 PM
- Registration Link for the April 29, 2026, Homeowners Association Course
The recording of our recent program, Board Financial Literacy: What Your Financials Are Really Saying, is now available on our Association Training Hub YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@AssociationTrainingHub
10 Ways Boards Unintentionally Loose Trust (Even When They’re Right)
- Enforcing rules inconsistently
- Allowing informal “exceptions”
- Communicating only when problems arise
- Sharing information unevenly across owners
- Delaying communication after decisions are made
- Letting individual board members respond independently
- Failing to explain the “why” behind decisions
- Introducing changes without clear notice
- Relying on assumptions instead of communication
- Allowing process to vary depending on the situationcials
Myth vs. Reality
Board Meetings Defined
❌ Board Myth
“If the board follows the rules and makes the right decisions,
communication will take care of itself.”
✅ The Reality
Even correct decisions can feel inconsistent or unfair
without clear, timely, and structured communication.
Owners don’t just evaluate outcomes.
They evaluate what they hear—and what they don’t.
📌 Communication isn’t a follow-up to governance. It’s part of it.
60-Second Board Message:
Why Consistency Matters
Most boards believe trust comes from making the right decisions. In reality, trust comes from consistency. When the same issue is handled differently—even unintentionally—owners begin to question the process.Consistency doesn’t mean being rigid. It means being predictable, structured, and fair.
That consistency comes from two things: Clear processes—and consistent communication.
👉 Owners may not always agree.
But they will recognize a process they can rely on.
10 Steps to Build an Effective Board Communication Plan
1. Align the Board and Management First
2. Define What Matters to Owners
3. Use a Central Communication Channel
4. Communicate After Decisions—Not During Discussions
5. Establish a Predictable Rhythm
6. Explain the “Why” at a High Level
7. Reinforce Expectations Before Enforcement
8. Avoid One-Off Responses from Individual Board Members
9. Keep Communication Clear, Concise, and Action-Oriented
10. Review and Adjust Periodically
Myth vs. Reality
Email for Info Only
❌ Board Myth
“A monthly newsletter keeps the community informed.”
✅ The Reality
A newsletter only builds trust if it provides meaningful, relevant, and timely information.
Generic updates and filler content don’t reduce confusion—they can increase it.
Effective communication:
• Explains what matters
• Reinforces expectations
• Provides clarity on direction
👉 It’s not about sending something. It’s about saying something that matters.
